In his visit to Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted the industry to focus on the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme. During his visit, he inaugurated a number of projects and said that the state is evolving as a Tank manufacturing hub of India.   

He said, "Today, I am proud to dedicate to the country one more warrior to protect our frontiers. I am proud to handover the indigenously designed and manufactured 'Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A'. It also uses indigenous ammunition. Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India.”

"Now, I see Tamil Nadu evolving as the Tank manufacturing hub of India. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India's united spirit – Bharat's Ekta Darshan."

The tank has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), which is situated in Chennai.

Among other projects inaugurated by PM Modi is the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, which the Prime Minister said will improve connectivity for the people of the city. At the grand event at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, he flagged off the 9.01 km service from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar in North Chennai, completed at a cost of Rs 3,770 crore.